Fishing is a popular pastime of many people around the world, and spending a weekend fishing is one of the most relaxing things that you can do. When stocking up your boat for your fishing trip, there are a number of things that you will need to bring. Not only will you need to bring supplies, but there are a number of must have accessories that you simply cannot do without.

• A compass is a vital accessory when it comes to fishing, especially if you are going saltwater fishing. While you may not think you need a compass because you have a GPS system, it is always vital that you have a compass as a backup in case of an emergency.

• When sitting back and relaxing on your fishing boat, it gets tedious having to hold your fishing rod. Using a fishing rod holder to place your rod in while you relax, get a drink, or eat a snack can be the best way to ensure that you have all the time that you need while still being able to keep your line in the water as long as possible.

• When fishing at night, you will find that spotlights come in handy. Whether you are just trying to light up your boat or trying to see the best places to fish, using a boat spotlight or boat floodlight is the best way to ensure that you have enough light to work by. You will also need a light source to dock your boat by after dark, and a set of boat floodlights or spotlights can be an excellent addition to your boat.

• Gloves may not seem to be an important thing to take with you on your boat, but you will be surprised at how handy a pair of gloves is when you need to wrangle with a tough or aggressive fish.

• Hooking a fish may be easy, but your rod may not be strong enough to haul a real whopper out of the water. A fish net is an important accessory to bring along on your boat, and you will find that having a fish net comes in handy when having to pull a fighting fish out of the water.

• Never forget your tackle box, as a fisherman is just a man without his assortment of fishing gear. All of the lures, baits, weights, spinners, and other fishing gear is a vital part of a weekend fishing trip, and your tackle box is the best way to stay organized and carry everything that you need for your fishing trip.

• Pliers, surprisingly, are a must have accessory on board a boat, as they are the best tool to help you get the hook out of your catch's mouth without damaging the hook or tearing up your fish.

• Lifejackets are a must have as well, especially when going saltwater fishing. While you may not think you need a lifejacket, you should always be prepared for an emergency and take along with you anything that is vital to your survival when out on large bodies of water.